minivan

2 definitions

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Seen in the wild

5 citations · last seen May 2026

Etymology timeline

Born ~1980 · 1 year of recorded use

Gen X eraSee decade cohort →

Seen in the wild

Tilting trikes turn more like a "normal" bike for the primary rider, but are much less comfortable for the passengers - and generally mean a more compact passenger area too. We'd compare it more to motorcycle vs. mi…

Tilting trikes feel more like a "normal" bike for the rider, but are much less comfortable for the passengers - and generally means a more compact passenger area too. We'd compare it more to motorcycle vs. minivan :)

I worked in software. We didn't have bugs, we had undocumented features. Our clients didn't lie to us, instead they offered us an opportunity to discover antruth. I remember a great Dilbert cartoon, "going to code m…

True, but still the term SUV is perhaps overly broad as even a minivan can be considered a SUV. Thats because its more of a marketing term rather than a true classification of vehichles. We have to suppliment it with…

Get in the minivan kids, we’re going to Disneyland!

minicamp minimod minionette mini-roundabout mini skip minitruck mink Min Min light Minnesota ice Minnesota nice Minnie minnow

Australia

#1·Apr 27, 2026AUS

A small van, especially (North America, Australia, NZ, Philippines) one primarily used for family transport.

Origin: From . First widely used in the 1980s, when this class of vehicles became widely popular as an alternative to station wagons (estate cars). Attested earlier in usage, usually as mini-van. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).

For parents

Minivan means: A small van, especially one primarily used for family transport.. It is mainly Philippine English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. It is sporting vocabulary and harmless in itself. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

minivan means: A small van, especially one primarily used for family transport.. Register: informal, Philippine English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Cluster: general

Heard in the wild

“Tilting trikes turn more like a "normal" bike for the primary rider, but are much less comfortable for the passengers - and generally mean a more compact passenger area too. We'd compare it more to motorcycle vs. minivan :)”
— Bluesky· May 2026
“Tilting trikes feel more like a "normal" bike for the rider, but are much less comfortable for the passengers - and generally means a more compact passenger area too. We'd compare it more to motorcycle vs. minivan :)”
— Bluesky· May 2026
“I worked in software. We didn't have bugs, we had undocumented features. Our clients didn't lie to us, instead they offered us an opportunity to discover antruth. I remember a great Dilbert cartoon, "going to code me a minivan."”
— Bluesky· May 2026
“True, but still the term SUV is perhaps overly broad as even a minivan can be considered a SUV. Thats because its more of a marketing term rather than a true classification of vehichles. We have to suppliment it with terms like "mid size" and "full size" for this reason.”
— Bluesky· May 2026
“Get in the minivan kids, we’re going to Disneyland!”
— Bluesky· May 2026

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Australia

#2·Apr 27, 2026AUS

(ambitransitive) To travel or transport in a small van.

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For specific readers

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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Australia

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